An airman from the 86th Maintenance Squadron inspects the propeller of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft before takeoff at Elefsina Air Base, Greece, May 2, 2023, as part of the Stolen Cerberus X joint training exercise. The Air Force is planning to position various aircraft at the base near Athens, Greek media reported this week. (Andrew Bertain/U.S. Air Force)
The U.S. Air Force is planning to position aircraft at a military base near Athens in connection with the American response to events in Israel, Greek media reported this week.
The Hellas Journal and other outlets reported Sunday that a contingent of American officers based out of Germany was part of an advance team to coordinate the reception of the planes and accompanying crews.
The base in the town of Elefsina, home to the Greek air force’s 112 Combat Wing, is expected to become a transportation hub for the incoming U.S. aircraft, the Kathimerini newspaper reported.
The base is needed because of an influx that has crowded the runways at the U.S. Navy’s Souda Bay installation on the island of Crete, according to the reports.
Between five and eight C-130s are among the aircraft headed to Elefsina. C-17s also could be part of the deployment, Greek media reported.
U.S. European Command didn’t immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment on the reports.
U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft arrive at Elefsina Air Base, Greece, in May 2022. The Air Force is planning to position various aircraft at the base near Athens, Greek media reported this week. (Alexcia Givens/U.S. Air Force)
The reported moves come as the Pentagon shifts additional forces to the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East in response to the Israel-Hamas war.
The possibility of the war growing beyond Gaza has raised concerns that U.S. forces could come under increased attacks at bases in Iraq and Syria, where pro-Iranian militia groups have launched rockets and drones.
In response to those concerns, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday ordered the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and additional Patriot battalions to bases in the region.
For the U.S. military, Greece has become an increasingly important ally in southeastern Europe.
In addition to the Souda Bay hub, the Defense Department has expanded operations at military sites across Greece in conjunction with an updated bilateral security agreement.
